Canadian manufacturing sales fell 2.8% in April, the largest monthly decline since October 2023, as a deepening trade dispute with the United States weighed on key industrial sectors, Statistics Canada said on Friday.
The drop marked the third consecutive monthly decline, bringing total sales to their lowest level since January 2022. Weaker sales of petroleum and coal products, motor vehicles and primary metals were the main contributors to the slide.
The April report reflected the first full month of US tariffs affecting Canadian exports in sectors including steel, aluminum and autos, following the imposition of new trade measures in March.
Roughly half of Canadian manufacturers surveyed said they felt the impact of the tariffs in April, while 43% of wholesalers reported similar effects.
In a separate release, StatCan said wholesale sales fell 2.3% in April, led by declines in the motor vehicles, parts and accessories subsector.